@refinery29 x @merylrowin

#R29Collabs is Refinery29’s Instagram-first creative collaborations where we work with designers, illustrators, photographers, and other artists from around the world to create unique social content that educates, empowers, and inspires our readers.

#AcknowledgeIsPower was started by @Refinery29 to give a voice to those who may not have been given the platform to share their stories. By highlighting these individuals, their voices, and achievements, we've been able to share, educate, and learn important pieces of our society's history and future. These images are part of an ongoing series of portraits for #BlackHistoryMonth by Meryl Rowin, an illustrator based in Los Angeles, and were inspired by the recent film "Hidden Figures".